Shine like Stars
Ludwig rolled over. He blew the hair on his face, attempting to get it off, to no avail. With a soft sigh, he reached behind his head and gathered a fist full of hair and pulled. He did that a few times until he had cleared his face. He stood from bed and stretched his arms above his head. He noticed that his night shirt lifted to almost his belly button. He would have to tell his brother to get him a new shirt soon.
He left the room, brush in hand. He walked around the square area outside his room. A treadmill sat in the corner. He had seen it on tv and had asked Gilbert excessively for one, though he hardly used it. Across from that sat a couch and the TV. Gilbert always complained that Ludwig never got any good channels, but Ludwig was happy. And Gilbert would bring him movies almost every month.
Adjacent to the TV was a kitchen. Gilbert brought food every week on his visit. A case of water about every other week. Treats whenever Ludwig asked for them. Ludwig was happy in his little tower. But he also felt alone. In the movies he would see kids with pets and friends, but Ludwig had Gilbert. And that was good. It was enough.
Ludwig turned the TV. He only really watched it during his meals, but it was nice to have some sound floating through the room. After pumping up the volume, Ludwig went to kitchen for some breakfast. He opened the fridge and frowned at his short supply of milk and fruit. He hoped Gilbert would be back soon.
Gilbert's visits had been everyday when Ludwig was younger. It was always after three in the afternoon and Gilbert would sleep over sometimes. However, as Ludwig had gotten older, Gilbert's visits had become less and less. Every other day, Wednesday and the weekends, and now once a week. Ludwig never knew what day, it was always different, but it made him worry nonetheless.
Ludwig retrieved an apple from the fridge. He munched on it lazily as he sat on the couch to brush out his hair. His apple soon went forgotten as he started to tackle the tangles that had formed overnight. He grumbled and swore quietly to himself as he worked. It took over an hour, but he completed all 70 feet of his hair. He had Gilbert measure it one day when he saw a commercial that said people could grow their hair up to two feet in three months.
With his hair tangle free, for at least ten minutes, Ludwig finished his apple and stood in the center of his room. He tilted his head back and looked at the ceiling. Gilbert had installed a window two summers ago. Ludwig had asked him what stars were, he had seen them on TV and had heard them in a few songs. Gilbert explained that they were burning balls of gas, and asked Ludwig if he would like to see them in person. Ludwig, excited at the fact that he might go outside said yes. Only, to his disappointment, Gilbert had put a window in the ceiling. It was rather large and Ludwig could open it with a button near his room, but it wasn't the same.
Ludwig pushed the button. As the window slowly rolled open, he walked to the single window that Gilbert would come and leave through.
The blond flung open the window and leaned out. The summer air felt good on his face. Warm and relaxing. His favorite time to lean out the window was during winter. The cold air would sting his cheeks and he would curl his bare feet and wonder what the snow that fell upon his nose would feel between his toes.
With a sigh, Ludwig tilted his head, his hair falling from the center of his back to his shoulder. He lifted his hands and worked a lock of hair down the edge of his tower.
He watched as the blond hair fell. It seemed to almost float down the bricks that made up Ludwig's home. He didn't even know what was between the bricks and his room, but he didn't really mind.
When his hair had stopped falling, the ends were brushing the overgrown grass that surrounded Ludwig's home. Ludwig didn't know how he knew his hair was touching the blades, but he felt that it was right.
He brought his gaze up to the town he could barely see over the trees surrounding his tower. He wondered what the people that lived there were like. We're they locked in towers too? Did they yearn for something more like Ludwig did?
With a soft sigh, Ludwig tilted his head back, his cheeks looking for the sun. The sky was blue before him, darker than his eyes. A few stray clouds lingered, but would soon fade away as the afternoon approached them.
Ludwig didn't hate his tower. He just found it boring and lonely. He just wanted someone that would visit. Someone that would talk to him. Someone he could call friend.
"Hello!"
Jumping, Ludwig whacked his head on the window frame. He rubbed the hurt spot and looked down to the ground. It was a man. Ludwig could only tell because it was the same shape Gilbert was when he was on the ground.
"Oh no." Ludwig backed quickly from the window. He pulled his hair in as fast as he could. "Oh no."
"Hello? I know you're up there!" The voice drifted through the window.
The blond pressed himself against the farthest wall from his window. "N-no I'm not!" Ludwig shouted. Then he dropped his head against the wall. Now the man knew he was up there!
"Uh, I saw you, and I just heard you!" The man shouted again. His voice faltered as he spoke, much like Ludwig's did from time to time. The blond guessed that the man below his tower was within Ludwig's own seventeen years.
Oh no oh no ohnononono! Ludwig wrapped his fists on his hair. What was he to do? He couldn't very well speak to the boy! Could he?
"Hey! I know you can hear me! My brother said I'm really loud!"
Brother? So this boy had one too? Ludwig twisted his hair around his fingers and moved closer to his window. He pressed his back to the wall to the right of the outside world. He leaned as close as he dared and took a peak to the ground. The boy had his hands pressed against the tower, his head tilted back. Ludwig was too high up to see the boy's face.
"My name is Feliciano! What's your name?" Another shout came.
Ludwig couldn't help the smile that worked its way to his face. Didn't this kid ever give up? But Ludwig found himself wanting to answer.
He inched closer to the window, allowing his hair to fall from his shoulder to the windowsill. He knew that Feliciano could see him, well, his hair at least.
"L-Ludwig." The blond called. He was shocked at himself. He had spoken to the boy! What was he going to do? What could he do? He couldn't very well hide!
"Nice to meet you! Oh." The boy's voice became muffled.
Ludwig leaned farther out the window to find Feliciano holding his hand to his ear. He was talking but Ludwig couldn't hear it.
"I have to go! But I can come back tomorrow?" Feliciano turned and shouted at Ludwig.
Hesitating again, Ludwig thought it over. Gilbert would be visiting soon. Well, he should be. And if he did and found that Feliciano was visiting, that would end bad. But if he didn't come, Ludwig had lost his only chance at a friend. But Gilbert usually came in the evenings. After work, was Gilbert's explanation.
Ludwig took a steadying breath. "Y-you can come over." He shouted. "But before five, okay?"
"No problem! Better not be a late sleeper!" Feliciano shouted. He ran toward the tree line that surrounded Ludwig's tower. "See ya!"
The blond raised his arm in farewell, though his heart was pounding too hard to call anything back to his new friend.
•
Feliciano did indeed come back the next day. Ludwig was up since sunrise waiting for him.
The boy was in a jacket as far as Ludwig could tell. Ludwig didn't exactly understand the purpose of that, but he knew from movies that people wore them when they were cold. Upon looking over the town, Ludwig saw saw thin layer of fog on the rooftops.
"Good morning!" Feliciano called.
Ludwig swallowed and pinched his arm, just to be safe. Nope. He was awake. "Hello," he answered. "Is it cold?"
"Just in the mornings. The sun will burn it off in a couple of hours!" Feliciano replied.
Ludwig furrowed his brow in confusion. None of his movies said anything like that.
"Can I come in?" Feliciano shouted after a few minutes.
Ludwig hesitated. He was glad he had someone to talk to, but he wasn't quite ready to bring them into his most precious place. "Not today." Ludwig finally said, hoping that he didn't hurt the boy's feelings.
"That's okay! But I made some muffins, would you like some?"
Homemade muffins did sound pretty good, and all of his shows say that homemade stuff is amazing. But was it fair to take something from his new friend and not give anything in return? Ludwig looked around his small living space. He didn't have a lot to offer. Maybe a hot drink since Feliciano was cold.
With a smile Ludwig called back down to Feliciano. "Okay. Give me a moment. I have something for you."
"Kay!" the boy shouted back.
Ludwig withdrew into his tower and began a pot of coffee. It was his brothers since he wouldn't have anything else to drink with breakfast. It was used more when Ludwig was younger and Gilbert stayed more often. Now that Gilbert hardly showed up, it had begun to collect dust. Ludwig was glad he could use it again.
With the coffee done, Ludwig poured it in a Styrofoam cup. It was easier to throw away his utensils than to run pipes all through the tower. The only water line Ludwig had was to the bathroom. He made sure the coffee couldn't spill as he lowered it to Feliciano. To be safe, he wrapped a plastic bag that Gilbert used to bring food to him a to it. Then he was to the window and tied his hair around the cup. He carefully lowered the cup and his hair to Feliciano.
"Wow!" came Feliciano's thanks. "Hold on!"
Ludwig tried to see what Feliciano was doing, but he was too far away. After a moment and a few tugs on his hair,however, Feliciano called up again. "Go ahead the bring your hair up!"
The blond pulled up the piece of his hair to find the plastic bag tied at the end. He gently untied it from his hair and withdrew a large muffin. It was golden and had a few spots throughout. He took a bite and felt a smile so a.c. his face. He leaned out the window. "This is delicious, Feliciano!"
"So is this coffee!" the boy shouted back, a laugh behind his voice.
The two continued their breakfast together until Feliciano shed his jacket and sat under the shade of Ludwig's tower. And Ludwig had to drag one of his chairs over the sit in as he grew kinks and sores in his back. He didn't mind. He do had someone other than his brother to talk to.
Then, suddenly, Feliciano stopped talking and his hand went to his ear again. Ludwig frowned but remained silent. His throat hurt from talking so loudly. Even though Feliciano did most of the talking. Then the boy stood and gathered his things.
Ludwig stood, almost knocking the chair over behind him. "Feliciano?"
"I gotta go. But I'll be back tomorrow, okay?" Feliciano called. Even from so far away Ludwig could see the pout on the boy's face.
"Promise?"
"I promise. Bye Ludwig!" Feliciano turned on his heel and ran off back to the town. His arm raised in a final goodbye.
Gilbert arrived later that same day. Luckily, it was early in the evening and Feliciano was long gone. Ludwig was just getting out of the shower when he heard a knock at his window.
He leapt to his feet and ran out of his room. He didn't care that his hair would be in tangles or that it dragged behind him in a mess. His brother was here!
"Hello, Ludwig!" Gilbert shouted when the blond arrived at the window. He waved his arm wildly, he had a package in his other arm. "Drop your hair, already!"
Ludwig gave a quick wave before tilting his head, letting his hair fall over his shoulder. He grabbed his hair at the base of his neck and pulled it out the window. It wasn't too wet since washing it alone was a pain. It looped and fell until the end of his locks reached the window and cascaded down the edge of the tower.
Gilbert made a sling with Ludwig's hair and stepped into the loop. "Go Ludwig!"
The blond wrapped his fists into the hair that reached to his elbows and began to haul his brother to the window. He used to have troubles with it, but now he was strong enough to pull Gilbert up the tall building and into his room.
At the windowsill, Gilbert stepped in and wrapped his arms around Ludwig. "I'm so sorry I'm late, little brother! Work had been awful!"
Ludwig smiled against his brother's shoulder. "It's okay. I'm glad to see you. But I hope you brought food. I'm running kind of low."
"What kind of brother would i be if I neglected my baby brother's needs?" Gilbert said. He stepped away from Ludwig and set the small, now that Ludwig could see it, cooler down on the table.
"A bad one." Ludwig said. He sat at the counter and watched as Gilbert unpacked the cooler.
"I would never! Would a bad brother bring you wurst?" Gilbert grinned and took the package of meat out of the box.
Ludwig brought his eyebrows together. "I only get wurst on my birthday. What's the occasion?"
Gilbert said nothing and instead turned his back to Ludwig. "I have some good news. And bad news."
A small twinge of panic went through Ludwig. Gilbert usually only had good news. He didn't know what to expect. So he placed his hands in his lap. "What's the bad news?"
Gilbert smiled sadly and began cooking. "Are you sure you want to hear that first?"
"Yes."
"Well, I have to go away for a while." Gilbert said.
"How long is a while?" Ludwig asked, his throat closing with fear. He could feel the back of his eyes tingling.
"A few weeks. Maybe a month." Gilbert replied softly.
"A month?" Ludwig stood from his chair. Gilbert hardly saw him now, he couldn't bear a month away from him! And would it be a month exactly? Or would Gilbert waited a few days to rest then come see him? What if Gilbert forgot about him?
"I need to go. Your tower is not cheap to keep, and getting back and forth from here to my house-"
"Then let me live with you! Let me go outside!" Ludwig said desperately.
Gilbert sighed. "You know why I can't let you."
"Because the world is evil? How is it evil? The things on TV make it sound wonderful! None of those people are in a tower!" Ludwig said, his voice rising.
"It's evil because I said it is!" Gilbert shouted at his younger brother.
"That's not a reason at all! Just tell me why I have to live in this tower and I'll let you go!" Ludwig said. He took a breath and lowered his voice. "I'll let you leave and I won't be sad, or angry or anything. Please."
"Ludwig, that is enough of that." Gilbert scolded.
"But I just want-"
"I don't care what you want." Gilbert said, his voice sharp.
Ludwig recoiled. Gilbert was never this harsh. Even when they would shout and fight, he never spoke in that tone before. Like he was burdened with taking care of Ludwig.
"Fine." Ludwig said. "Leave then." He turned on his heel and rushed to his room. He would have slammed the door behind him, but his hair blocked it. He yanked his hair into his room, probably making a fool of himself, but not caring.
Once the last bit of hair was thrown behind him, Ludwig slammed the door and leaned against it. He heaved a sigh that seemed to rattle his bones, then cried softly.
•
A knock came to his door an hour later. It was soft and timid. It was very un-Gilbert-like.
"Hey, Ludwig? Can I come in?"
The blond hesitated, then he raised his head from the pillow. "Yeah."
His brother swung open the door, a plate in his hands. "Are you hungry?"
Ludwig didn't respond. He placed his head back in his pillow, his hair draping over his face.
"Giving me the silent treatment isn't going to change my mind." Gilbert said.
"I just want to know why." Ludwig mumbled.
"I know." Gilbert set the plate of food on the bedside table. He placed himself beside Ludwig and ran his fingers through his brother's hair.
"Then why won't you tell me?" Ludwig sat up, jerking away from Gilbert.
"Because you don't need to know." Gilbert said.
Ludwig cast him another glare before falling back into bed.
"Pouting will not help." Ludwig didn't raise his head, but he felt the bed shift as Gilbert stood. "I'll be leaving soon. I would like to be on good terms before then."
As the door closed across the room, Ludwig brought his eyes to his door. He felt a pain in his chest and throat. It wasn't fair. How could his brother leave him like that?
Ludwig brought his blanket to his chest and rolled over to the edge of his bed. As far away from the door he could get.
Gilbert came back twenty minutes later. "Will you help me outside?"
Ludwig thought about saying no, that way Gilbert would have to stay. However he knew Gilbert had other means of getting out of the tower. How else would he have gotten in and out before ludwig's hair was long enough?
After a few moments of silence, Ludwig sat up. He kept his eyes down as he walked past Gilbert and to the window. He heard his brother sigh and follow him.
"Ludwig, this is ridiculous."
"So is you keeping me in this tower." Ludwig grumbled.
"What was that?" Gilbert said, grabbing Ludwig's shoulders.
Ludwig didn't want to be mad, but he couldn't help it. "I want to leave!"
Gilbert threw his hands in the air. "I thought we went over this."
"We have, but I don't understand-"
"All you need to understand is that you are never leaving this tower!" Gilbert roared.
Ludwig stared at his brother. Hurt swirled in his chest. He clenched his jaw to fight back the hateful words he wanted to shout, or his tears. He wasn't sure.
Gilbert coughed in his hand before straightening out his clothes. "I'll be back before you know it."
"Okay." Ludwig said. He wrapped his hair over the hook and pushed it off the ledge. He kept his head turned from Gilbert, unable to look his brother in the face.
"Bye, Ludwig."
The blond felt Gilbert press a kiss to his head. Then he heard him descend the tower. Ludwig kept his hair down, even after his brother was long gone.
Feliciano came back the next day. Ludwig had been up since dawn waiting for the boy. He didn't show up until noon. And Ludwig was mad.
He had waited all morning for the boy and he shows up whenever he wanted. Who did that someone? Ludwig didn't exactly know how friends worked but he was pretty sure this was not how.
"Ludwig!" Feliciano shouted. "Are you there?"
Ludwig sat under the windowsill, refusing to answer Feliciano. He was mad at Gilbert and at Feliciano. He felt so alone in his tower. He just wished he could leave.
"Sorry I took so long! My brother was being a jerk and I…" Feliciano stopped shouting and Ludwig thought he heard sniffles. "I'm sorry. He's just so mean."
Now Ludwig felt bad. He sighed and stood up. "I'm sorry, Feliciano. I've had a rough morning."
"Are you okay?" the boy said dropping his upset attitude and directing all of his attention on Ludwig.
Okay, now the blond felt really bad. "Yeah. It's my brother too. He won't let me leave my tower."
"Why do you listen? Is he here now?"
"No, but-"
"Then come down! It's weird talking to you from clear down here!" Ludwig was taken aback. Feliciano sure could change topics and moods fast.
Ludwig said nothing. He pulled into his tower and glanced around. Why would he stay? If Gilbert wouldn't let him leave willingly, Ludwig would just have to do it on his own.
"I'm coming." Ludwig shouted down to Feliciano.
Though he was too far away to see clearly, Ludwig was sure he saw Feliciano smile brightly. "Hurry up!"
Ludwig looked around his tower one last time. Should he take anything? He was going to come back. Right? He bit his lip, heart pounding in his throat. Then he turned and stepped on the windowsill. He wrapped his hair around the hook and leaned out the window.
A gust of air traveled up the tower, pushing and Ludwig's chest and whipping his black shirt around. With a deep breath, he swung out the window and began to glide smoothly down the side of his tower.
After a few feet, Ludwig loosened his death grip on the rope of hair. He slid faster and faster, the loose hair around his face lifting above his ears. He let out a laugh and looked down to see the ground fast approaching. He tightened his grip, his toes just inches above the ground.
"Ludwig?" Feliciano said softly. "You okay?"
The blond raised his eyes to the brunet. He was shorter than Ludwig had expected. Though his eyes and gentle face were nothing like he could imagine.
"I'm fine. I've just never touched the ground before." Ludwig breathed.
Feliciano grinned "Really? It's pretty soft here, go ahead."
With a nod, ludwig lowered his bare feet. The grass tickled the sensitive soles and a grin broke across his face. He took one, two, three wide steps away from his tower. "I'm outside!" he shouted. "I'm outside!"
Feliciano watched, laughing to himself as Ludwig ran in circles. Though his long hair trailed behind him and caught twigs and leaves, he didn't care. His arms were spread wide and his head was thrown back.
Suddenly, Ludwig was gripping Feliciano's arms. "This is the best thing i have ever done! Oh, if only Gilbert knew-!" Ludwig's pale face somehow went lighter.
"What's the matter?" Feliciano asked, concerned.
"If Gilbert finds out, he'll kill me!" Ludwig said, digging his hands into his hair.
"When does he get back?" Feliciano moved closer to Ludwig.
"Not for a while. He won't find out. I'll be back before then." Ludwig lowered his hands. "It'll be okay."
Feliciano eyed Ludwig before smiling. "Well, let's go."
"Go where?" Ludwig asked.
"Well, we can't stay here. This is your first time out of the tower. Let's go somewhere fun."
"Oh." Ludwig followed as Feliciano left the clearing surrounding his tower.
He had to tug and pull at his hair as they walked. He never knew how big of an inconvenience having such long hair could be. After struggling for ten minutes, Ludwig let out a breath of frustration.
"Do you need help?" Feliciano giggled.
After another huff, Ludwig nodded. "It keeps getting stuck on stuff."
"I'll braid it when we get to the house. For now, I'll help you carry it." Feliciano moved behind Ludwig and began to gather armfuls of the golden locks.
"Thanks." Ludwig blushed. He never had an issue moving around his tower, why would be struggle now?
Feliciano bumped his shoulder against Ludwig's. "Don't worry about it." Ludwig blinked at Feliciano. It was like the brunet read his mind. "You're out of your element. You'll get used to moving around with your hair."
Ludwig smiled a little smile then nodded. He found he didn't mind Feliciano brushing against him as they walked.
"Lovino!" Feliciano stuck his head through the door and shouted for his brother.
Ludwig stood outside, fiddling with the bundles of hair in his arms. His feet hurt from walking around barefoot and his head hurt from the bright sun.
"Let's go." Feliciano finally said, leading Ludwig into the cool dark house. "We can wash your hair, then I'll braid it."
"How long will that take?" Ludwig asked. He didn't want to spend his new found freedom on cleaning his hair.
"To wash or braid it?"
"Both." Ludwig tugged his hair inside the house and Feliciano closed the door.
"Maybe an hour. Or two." Feliciano replied, untangling a twig.
"Can we move quickly? I want to do as much as I can before Gilbert comes home." Ludwig asked shyly.
Feliciano grinned brightly. "Well let's stop standing around."